Mohamed Aden

Seasoned sellers like you have already utilized various ad types and campaigns on Amazon. To maintain and boost the growth of your business, reach out to a wider and more engaged audience—level up your game with the help of influencers. If you’re wondering how to find an influencer on Amazon, you’re in the right place!

From knowing how the Amazon Influencer Program works to leveraging social media platforms and third-party influencer marketplaces, this guide will provide actionable tips on finding influencers plus 8 brand-boosting strategies that will help you:

• Enhance your visibility, 
• attract more customers, 
• and ultimately skyrocket your sales on Amazon.

Tip #1: Research About Your Target Audience

To find an influencer on Amazon who can effectively boost your brand, you must first know your target audience. Only when you deeply understand your target audience can you identify the influencers that genuinely appeal to them.

Know your target audience.

Identify your target audience's essential demographics: age, gender, location, and income. This information aligns your brand with suitable influencers who share your target demographics, making your marketing efforts more effective.

Find what interests potential customers.

• What kind of content does your audience spend the most time on? 
• What are their hobbies or passions? 

Base your content to the answers you'll get. For instance, if your target audience is interested in fitness and wellness, partnering with a fitness influencer through the Amazon Influencer Program would greatly benefit your brand.

Identify the channels your target audience uses.

While Amazon is an excellent starting point, consider whether your audience engages with influencers on other platforms, like Instagram or YouTube. This way, you can target influencers with a presence on those platforms and their Amazon Influencer Storefronts.

Before we dive deeper into Amazon influencers, here’s a refresher about it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAvtXFbX0HA

Tip #2: Understand Influencer Types on the Amazon Influencer Program

Identifying the different types of influencers on Amazon can help you find ideal partners who can create compelling content and engage with your target audience. In this section, we will delve into the key categories of influencers that can boost your brand.

Brand ambassadors

Brand ambassadors are influencers who consistently promote brands and products. They deeply understand the brand's identity and values and can create genuine and authentic content to market the products.

To find a brand ambassador for your brand on Amazon, look for influencers who already match your products and niche or show genuine interest in your brand.

Content creators

Content creators produce original and engaging content in various formats, such as videos, blog posts, and product reviews. These influencers showcase Amazon products while sharing their opinions and feedback about the item.

Reviewers and bloggers

Reviewers and bloggers create in-depth reviews, comparisons, and round-ups of various products on Amazon. They have a strong following, and their opinions can make or break a sale.

To find relevant reviewers and bloggers, search for those specializing in your product category and analyze their reviews on Amazon storefronts. You can also browse their personal websites or social media profiles to know their niche expertise.

Social media influencers

Social media influencers have a significant presence on various platforms and can seamlessly incorporate your brand into their daily content. They often belong to the Amazon Associates Program, earning a commission from Amazon when their followers purchase products through their affiliate links.

To find social media influencers that align with your brand, search for those with a substantial following in your niche and check their engagement levels, relevance, and audience demographics on their chosen platform.

Tip #3: Explore Amazon Influencer Storefronts

The quickest way to find influencers on Amazon is through the #FoundItOnAmazon hashtag.

You can also find influencers on Amazon Live. These methods show influencers who create valuable content to promote various products. Assess their communication style, professionalism, and audience engagement. Note suitable influencers that align with your brand.

Then, visit their Amazon influencer storefront. Identify whether they fall into the category of micro-influencers or celebrities, and factor this into your decision-making. Remember—your choice should always hinge on your business scale and brand objectives.

Tip #4: Explore Social Media Platforms

Besides searching through Amazon Live and storefronts, you can also find influencers on popular social media platforms who use their accounts for social media marketing. To apply successfully for the Amazon Affiliate program, users must have an active Youtube, Facebook, or Instagram account.

Instagram

If your target audience is interested in images and videos, tap Amazon influencers on Instagram. Searching through hashtags is the most efficient way to find them. To ensure your partnership is worth it, work with an influencer with many engaged followers because they have proven informative, educational, and high-quality content.

TikTok

TikTok has become a go-to platform for viral content and short-form videos. As with Instagram, you can use platform-specific hashtags to find influencers relevant to your brand. As TikTok is known for its high-energy, entertaining, and high-engagement content, ensure the influencers you find align with your brand's tone and values.

YouTube

YouTube is an excellent platform for finding influencers who create long-form content, such as product reviews and tutorials. These videos can be particularly helpful for showcasing your products and demonstrating their value to potential customers.

To find suitable Amazon influencers on YouTube, you can search for videos featuring similar products and assess the influencer's content quality, relevance to your brand, and audience engagement.

Tip #5: Leverage Influencer Marketplaces and Directories

Another effective way to find Amazon influencers is by using influencer marketplaces and directories. Utilize platforms like Upfluence, Famebit, Levanta, and Fiverr to search for active influencers on Amazon with their own Amazon Storefront. 

While browsing through influencer directories, you can find suitable influencers by reviewing their profiles, checking their metrics, and looking at their previous collaborations. This information will help you determine if the influencer fits your brand and has experience promoting products on Amazon.

To get started with these platforms, create an account and explore available influencers. Use filters to narrow your search based on your target audience, niche, and specific Amazon programs such as Amazon Live or Amazon Influencer Storefronts.

Remember that while some directories charge a fee for their services, others offer free trials or basic access for a limited time. Take advantage of these offers to test the platform and find influencers that can help boost your presence on Amazon.

Tip #6: Connect With Influencers

Once you've identified potential Amazon Influencers relevant to your niche and brand, it's time to get them into your network.

Reach Out Through an Influencer's Amazon Storefront

Utilize their preferred communication channel, such as social media platforms or email, to express your interest in partnering with them to promote your products on their Amazon Influencer Storefront.

Craft an authentic message stating your clear intentions and information about your brand and products. Keep the tone conversational, respectful, and tailored specifically to their interests.

Begin Creating Content with Influencers

After successfully connecting with the influencer and explaining your goals, start creating engaging content together for their Amazon Storefront. Whether your collaboration involves sponsored posts, reviews, or featuring the products in their Amazon Live streams, ensure that it aligns with their audience's preferences and your brand image.

Keep communication lines open and discuss the specifics of your agreement. Provide the influencer with the necessary information and resources, such as product samples and promotional materials, to create content for their Amazon Storefront Influencer page. 

Tip #7: Check and Monitor Data and Statistics

Checking data and statistics begins when you are still looking for an influencer and once you’ve partnered with them. Here are the ways to ensure you base decisions on data.

Analyze Influencer Metrics and Authenticity

• Consider Amazon Influencer Storefronts' engagement, relevance to your brand, and the influencer's genuine interaction with their audience.
• Explore the Amazon Influencer Program and search for influencers based on their Amazon Storefront, product categories, and audience demographics.
• Analyze the influencer's Amazon Storefront to see how well it aligns with your brand and products.
• Check their Amazon Live and Amazon Associates Program performance to gain information about the effectiveness of their content.

Monitor and Measure Influencer Campaigns

• Continually monitor and measure the effectiveness of your influencer campaigns on Amazon.
• Track essential metrics, like Amazon Storefront traffic, conversions on promoted products, and engagement with influencer content.

Quick Review: How Do I Find and Follow Amazon Influencers?

Finding and following Amazon influencers is as easy as curating your own social media following. The best part is—you’ll also be training your algorithm to find influencers for you. To recap, you can find and follow Amazon influencers on the following: 

• Amazon #FoundItOnAmazon and Amazon Live
• Social Media and Content Generating Platforms
• Freelance Job Marketplaces
• Networking Events

How to Find an Influencer on Amazon: Partner With Seller Interactive

The long-term benefits of partnering with influencers can be invaluable to your brand. Building trust and credibility among your target audience, reaching a wider audience, and increasing brand awareness are just a few of the many advantages of influencer marketing.

To get the most out of utilizing Amazon Influencers, partner with us here at Seller Interactive. We offer Amazon full account management, which includes leveraging the power of the Amazon Influencer Program to help you boost your sales and grow your business.

Book a call with us now. Let's ensure that you are taking full advantage of all the opportunities that come with Amazon Influencer marketing!

With millions of sellers and buyers worldwide flocking to the online marketplace every day, several Amazon brand owners may fear they’ll fade into obscurity amidst the cutthroat competition. Luckily, the e-commerce giant launched a tool to give sellers a fair fight—Amazon Brand Analytics.

As a brand owner, staying ahead of the competition is key to: 

• developing better strategies for your company, 
• making essential business decisions, 
• and ultimately improving your brand performance. 

Brand Analytics can help you with that!

Let’s discover the benefits of Brand Analytics for one’s business, its key components and limitations, and possible future trends and features to stay ahead of the curve. 

What is Amazon Brand Analytics?

Brand Analytics is a feature that gives valuable insights into consumer behavior. It offers countless reports to help sellers refine marketing and advertising strategies and improve brand visibility on Amazon.

With these reports, sellers can make data-driven decisions to 

• boost their sales and conversions, 
• instill brand loyalty in their customers, 
• and help them keep up with unexpected changes and trends in the e-commerce industry.

To be specific, here are a few areas where Brand Analytics can benefit your brand and business:

Consumer Behavior	Sellers can observe and understand customer preferences and purchasing patterns better, allowing them to optimize strategies and improve overall customer experience.
Keyword Insights	Sellers can also do keyword research to identify high-performing keywords that improve product visibility and search ranking on Amazon.
Inventory Management	Insights from Amazon Brand Analytics reports can aid in forecasting customer demands and preventing inventory issues.
Competitor Analysis	The tool lets sellers analyze how their competitors fare in the marketplace, how they price their products, and more. These data help sellers find their competitive edge and stand out.
Product Development	In line with identifying strengths and weaknesses, Brand Analytics can prompt you to enhance your current products or develop new ones based on customer demands.
Market Opportunities	Brand Analytics may also give way for sellers to tap uncharted markets and niches, allowing their businesses to flourish and expand beyond their current reach.

What Key Features Does Brand Analytics Offer?

Brand Analytics can give your brand and business all the benefits mentioned above through several analytics reports, metrics, and tools to track and analyze crucial data. These Brand Analytics tools include:

• Amazon Search Terms Report
• Market Basket Analysis Report
• Item Comparison and Alternate Purchase Report
• Repeat Purchase Behavior Report
• Demographics Report

All of these reports are easily accessible through the Brand Analytics dashboard. Let’s dive deeper into each analytics tool to understand how they can turn your business into a brand brimming with success.

Search Terms Report

The Search Terms report allows sellers to discover popular search terms most Amazon customers use when searching for products. Likewise, sellers will get Search Frequency Rank insights that display the rankings of each search term. 

With the Search Terms report data, sellers can identify which search terms have high-converting keywords and use this information to optimize product listings and refine ad targeting and advertising campaigns.

You can locate this report by heading to the Brand Analytics dashboard, clicking Consumer Behavior Dashboards, and selecting “Amazon Search Terms” under the category.

Market Basket Analysis

One of the most common consumer behaviors is placing several products in their basket and checking them out in one go. With Market Basket Analysis reports, sellers can identify items frequently bought together. 

Subsequently, they can use this data to find cross-selling opportunities and offer product bundles to their customers, effectively increasing order sizes and boosting sales.

You can access this Brand Analytics report by selecting “Market Basket Analysis” under the Consumer Behavior Dashboards menu.

Item Comparison Report

As mentioned, one of the ways Brand Analytics can aid in an Amazon seller’s journey is through competitor analysis. With Item Comparison reports, sellers can monitor how often their products are compared to the competitors' products by showing them what types of items their customers click on after viewing their products.

With these report insights, you can identify and further enhance your products' points for improvement. Click the “Item Comparison and Alternate Purchase Behavior” option from the Consumer Behaviors Dashboard to view this report.

Alternate Purchase Behavior Report

If the Item Comparison report shows sellers what items customers visit after viewing their products, the Alternate Purchase Behavior report presents which items customers actually bought on the same day. 

Besides presenting crucial information such as the titles of purchased products and their ASINs, Amazon will also show users what other item combinations and bundles were purchased along with the product in question. You can check this report by selecting “Item Comparison and Alternate Purchase Behavior” from the Consumer Behaviors Dashboard.

Repeat Purchase Behavior Reports

Moving away from all the competition talk, let’s talk about what items on your product list are frequently purchased. By determining which items sell like hotcakes with the Repeat Purchase Behavior report, sellers can identify customer preferences and adjust their inventory accordingly. 

The report can show sellers which products need more restocking and which ones they can scale back to avoid overstocking. You can access this report by clicking “Repeat Purchase Behavior” from the Consumer Behaviors Dashboard.

Demographics

Most importantly, Amazon provides extensive demographic reports to their sellers, allowing them to understand the age, gender, and household income of their customers for better targeting and personalized marketing efforts.

Select the “Demographics” option under the Consumer Behaviors Dashboard to view your customer demographics.

Who Can Use Amazon Brand Analytics?

Knowing what the Amazon Brand Analytics tool can provide and do for your business won’t be enough. Of course, you must also learn how to use the add-on feature. It’s worth noting that Brand Analytics can only be used by brands that are officially registered under Amazon Brand Registry.

Below is a checklist of requirements and features to use the Brand Analytics add-on feature.

Limitations of Brand Analytics

With the endless benefits Brand Analytics can bring, it’s difficult to see where the tool can lack. However, as with everything else, Brand Analytics has its own limitations, which include:

• Limited to Amazon: This drawback is a given. However, it doesn’t take away the fact that sellers can benefit more if they can also see consumer behavior data on other platforms, as these can impact your decisions for your brand as a whole.
• Incomplete or Delayed Data: Analytics provided by Amazon can sometimes be delayed or incomplete. Regularly monitor your data to ensure you're working with accurate information and to avoid any lapses.
• Exclusive for Registered Brands: Only registered brands can access Amazon Brand Analytics, creating barriers and preventing smaller businesses and newer brands without an established presence on Amazon to use the tool.

Source: Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels.com

Beyond Brand Analytics: Possible Future Trends & Features

Still, these limitations shouldn’t dampen your enthusiasm to use Brand Analytics for your Amazon journey. After all, with how fast technology and the internet have evolved in recent years, we wouldn’t be surprised if Amazon began adapting these features.

To end on a more positive note, we have listed a couple of trends and features that we predict will soon worm their way into Brand Analytics’ system.

Enhanced Predictive Analysis

As technology evolves, Amazon may incorporate more sophisticated predictive analytics capabilities into Brand Analytics, which may include forecasting demand, sales trends, customer behavior, and the potential success of new products with greater accuracy, enabling sellers to adjust their strategies proactively.

With better predictive modeling, you could make more informed decisions on product offerings, pricing, and marketing strategies to stay on top of your game.

Voice Search Optimization

With the rise of voice-activated devices and smart assistants, optimizing product listings for voice search could become a significant trend. Brand Analytics might offer tools insights into voice search queries and user behavior and tools targeting voice search optimization.

This possible feature could help your brand better understand and capitalize on voice search trends, ensuring your products are easily discoverable for customers using voice-activated devices like Amazon Echo.

Global Market Insights

With Amazon's global reach, the e-commerce giant may provide more extensive global market analysis, including data on customer preferences, competitive landscapes, and market trends in different countries.

A thorough analysis of global market trends may allow sellers to tailor their strategies and products to different regions and cultures for international success.

Augmented Reality (AR) Insights

In recent years, Amazon has slowly started adopting augmented reality (AR) in its platform to improve its customers’ online shopping experiences. For this reason, it won’t come as a surprise if Brand Analytics begins providing insights relating to AR shopping.

AR insights may inform sellers about customer interactions with products in an augmented reality environment, helping them optimize product listings and AR experiences to boost customer engagement and sales.

Maximize the Power of Brand Analytics

Brand Analytics is a valuable resource for sellers to better understand their target audience and make informed decisions to grow their brand and business. While the tool has drawbacks, the number of possible upcoming features we’ve listed shows that the future is bright for users of this tool. 

Data analysis is challenging, but with the right tools and people to guide you, you can harness its potential to propel your brand into success. Consider working with Amazon experts from Seller Interactive.

Let our experts guide you through your Amazon journey by contacting us now!

If you're an eCommerce newbie, the real battle between business models starts with Shopify vs. Amazon FBA. This decision shapes the outset of your eCommerce business. It is as important as choosing a reliable business partner. 

In this blog post, we will break down the strengths and weaknesses of Shopify and Amazon FBA. We aim to help you make a smart decision for your eCommerce venture. 

Understanding Shopify

Shopify is an eCommerce platform that allows you to manage and personalize your online storefront to sell online. It provides entrepreneurs like yourself with templates, payment options, and other eCommerce tools to establish and operate your own online store. This user-friendly online store builder simplifies online selling, sales tracking, and inventory management.

Benefits of Using Shopify

Now that you're familiar with what Shopify is, let's look at the benefits of using this specialized eCommerce platform to scale your online business:

1. Easy Shopify Store Setup

One of the strong areas of Shopify is its intuitive interface and user-friendly web tools that can be downloaded directly from the Shopify app store. Shopify users can easily launch their own eCommerce store without going through complicated processes, so they can quickly start selling. 

2. Customizable Themes

Shopify provides a variety of customized and mobile-responsive templates fit for different industries. With the option to choose from free or paid themes, you can easily create a visually appealing and unique store representing your brand.

3. Excellent Customer Support

Shopify is known for its exceptional customer support. They provide 24/7 customer care via phone, email, or live chat. Shopify also has a community where users can interact with one another and help each other with their questions and concerns. 

4. Low Transaction Charges

Compared to other eCommerce platforms, Shopify's transaction fees are generally cheaper.  Based on your Shopify store's plan, you'll only pay a 0.5%—2% transaction fee. You'll also have zero transaction fees with Shopify Payments, the platform's built-in payment gateway. This can help you save on costs and maintain a higher profit margin for your online store. 

Drawbacks of Using Shopify

You now know the benefits that make Shopify worth a try. Now, let’s explore the limitations of using it. 

1. Higher Monthly Fees

While Shopify provides a range of features and ease of use, it comes with higher monthly fees than other platforms like Amazon. These costs can pile up and affect profitability, especially for startups or small businesses.

Take a look at Shopify’s subscription plans and how much they cost: 

Subscription Plan	Price (per month)
Basic Shopify	$39
Shopify	$105
Advanced Shopify	$399

2. Limited Free Themes

Another disadvantage of using Shopify is the limited number of free themes. Although hundreds of templates and designs exist, most high-quality, professional-looking themes require payment. 

This can be frustrating for users looking for budget-friendly yet visually appealing design options for their online store.

3. Challenging Platform Exit

Leaving Shopify is challenging if you want to switch to another eCommerce platform. You can't seamlessly transfer your Shopify store except for reports. Think carefully about long-term commitment before signing up and creating your own Shopify store.

Amazon FBA Explained

Now that you know the benefits and drawbacks of using Shopify, let's explore the other option: Amazon FBA. It refers to the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program, where sellers can keep their goods within Amazon's fulfillment centers.

When customers order products, Amazon takes care of the fulfillment processes on behalf of the sellers. This lets sellers focus on sourcing new products and other areas of building a successful business.

Here’s how Amazon FBA works: 

Benefits of Amazon FBA

Using Amazon FBA comes with several benefits. But are these benefits better than what Shopify offers? Check them out below: 

1. Shipping Discounts

When you sign up for Amazon FBA, you can benefit from the program’s shipping discounts. Your goods become qualified for free shipping and Amazon Prime’s Free Two-Day Shipping. Through Amazon FBA, you can save 32% of your usual shipping costs from major shipping companies. 

2. Return Management

Handling returns can be a hassle for many businesses, but Amazon FBA takes care of return management in your stead. The platform directs customers to an online returns center if customers return a product. This allows you to concentrate on other parts of your business operations.

3. Customer Support

Amazon FBA offers 24/7 customer support, saving you time and money for hiring a separate customer service team. FBA Support handles inquiries, issues, and complaints for orders fulfilled through their service. 

Amazon FBA also doesn’t charge extra fees for their customer service, except for the Returns Processing Fee for certain product categories. 

4. Access to Specialized Services

Aside from Amazon handling the storage, packing, and shipping of orders for you, you also gain access to various specialized fulfillment services. For example, FBA Export allows you to sell easily to more than 100 countries. 

Other specialized fulfillment services include Amazon Global Logistics, Multi-Channel Fulfillment, and more. Note that you won't need additional capital or workforce funds to use these services. 

Drawbacks of Amazon FBA

While Amazon FBA offers great benefits, it's not perfect. Like other business models, Amazon FBA has some downsides: 

1. FBA Fees

One of the primary issues for Amazon sellers is the high cost of selling fees. Amazon charges storage and fulfillment fees, your chosen selling plan, referral fees, optional services, and more. FBA fees can quickly build up depending on the product's weight, size, and time it remains in storage.

2. Requires Regular Inventory Management

Another challenge you may face with Amazon FBA is the need for regular inventory management. In the FBA system, you're responsible for ensuring your products are updated in Amazon's warehouses. 

Despite Amazon lifting the burden of fulfillment off your shoulders, you must still be proactive in maintaining your inventory levels. Failure can result in stockouts, leading to missing out on sales opportunities.

Making the Decision: Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Shopify vs. Amazon FBA

Now that you have familiarized yourself with Shopify and Amazon, let’s explore the factors you must consider when choosing between the two. While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the top factors you must consider in your decision-making process:

1. Order Fulfillment

With Amazon FBA, the platform takes care of order fulfillment for sellers. This process benefits beginners without the logistics expertise to manage their fulfillment. It also suits busy entrepreneurs who don’t have time to handle fulfillment processes. 

On the other hand, Shopify allows you to manage your inventory and order fulfillment or use a third-party service. This offers flexibility in fulfilling orders and managing inventory, which might suit more seasoned sellers. 

2. Fees

Amazon charges various fees, including a referral fee per item sold, fulfillment fees for storage and shipping, and a monthly subscription fee depending on your chosen selling plan.

Below are the prices of selling plans on Amazon: 

Selling Plan	Pricing
Individual	$0.99/item sold
Professional	$39.99/month

When it comes to subscription fees, Amazon is cheaper than Shopify. However, with other selling fees involved, Shopify seems to be a more affordable option for sellers. Shopify doesn’t charge referral fees, storage, and other fees that selling on Amazon incurs. 

3. Potential Profit

When evaluating potential profitability, consider the level of competition in your niche and the fees associated with each platform. Amazon offers a much larger customer base, but you may face increased competition with other 9.7 million sellers. This can still be a good thing as it’s a sign that there’s a huge potential for greater profits.

With Shopify, you might have lower fees and lower competition with more than 4 million sellers. However, you must pay for marketing to attract customers, which could cut your profit margins. 

4. Marketing Options

Amazon’s options for branding, customization, and having a unique store design are limited within the Amazon marketplace. However, the platform offers various advertising tools, such as Sponsored Display Ads, to help promote your products. You may also enhance your product listing using A+ Content. 

Meanwhile, Shopify allows for more customization, design, and app integrations for establishing a unique and personalized shopping experience for buyers. However, some of the best apps on the Shopify app store aren’t free; you must pay to use them.  

Which is Better: Amazon or Shopify?

Amazon excels in scaling a business. The platform provides comprehensive tools and programs to help sellers. But if you’re looking for more brand control and customization, Shopify offers better opportunities. 

Get Started With Amazon FBA, and Let Seller Interactive Lead You Through the Entire Process!

Depending on your business goals, one platform may outdo another. But if you’re seeking to maximize your potential in the eCommerce industry, Amazon FBA is the way to go. That said, selling on Amazon requires strict and complex processes, such as complying with its guidelines. 

If you’re ready to scale your business but need expert guidance on selling on Amazon, Seller Interactive is here to help. We offer comprehensive account management services, from setting up your Amazon Seller Central account to prep and logistics. 
Book a call with us today and take the next step to improve your eCommerce business!

With the dozens of ecommerce successes seen over the years, it’s high time to embark on your journey as a digital entrepreneur and become an Amazon seller. One of the first things to do is source products from wholesale marketplaces like Alibaba. Then, you’ll need to figure out how to sell on Amazon from Alibaba, and we’ve got you covered!

What exactly can Alibaba bring to the table regarding your Amazon seller experience? Let’s discover how the Chinese platform can help Amazon sellers create a lucrative ecommerce business and reach success. 

Understanding Alibaba and Amazon

While it isn’t as frequently mentioned as Amazon, Alibaba is still regarded as one of the biggest ecommerce companies in the world. It falls just slightly behind Amazon in terms of market value in 2023.

Source: Statista.com

To those unfamiliar, Alibaba and Amazon may appear synonymous in how they work, considering they both belong to and fall under the ecommerce umbrella. However, they’re vastly different in many ways. 

For one, they focus on and operate with different business models. Amazon focuses on B2C (business-to-consumer) and C2C (consumer-to-consumer) operations, whereas Alibaba primarily operates with the B2B (business-to-business) model.

In short, Amazon is a retailer selling products and services directly to consumers, while Alibaba acts as an intermediary between the supplier and the seller. 

Naturally, their varying focuses mean they provide different services. Amazon offers sellers and buyers worldwide a platform to connect and complete ecommerce transactions. On the other hand, Alibaba offers product-sourcing services for aspiring sellers.

Rather than seeing these platforms as competitors and engaging in one over the other, many digital entrepreneurs see an opportunity in these differences. They choose to use both for their ecommerce journey. How? 

You can easily browse the vast catalog of items, negotiate with suppliers, and place bulk orders for your inventory on Alibaba. While most of the suppliers on the platform may be Chinese manufacturers, Alibaba still offers an extensive network of wholesalers from various countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and Africa. Meanwhile, you can create product listings through Amazon and market your products to a massive customer base.

Alibaba	Amazon
B2B business model Offers product-sourcing services for sellers; connects suppliers to sellers Features a vast collection of suppliers, manufacturers, and products worldwide	B2C and C2C business models Offers a platform to connect sellers and consumers Offers various fulfillment methods for sellers

By using Alibaba as a sourcing platform, Amazon sellers can benefit from the convenience of sourcing their products from reliable and legitimate wholesalers. Additionally, the vast product selection on Alibaba allows sellers to explore a wide range of products and find the best fit for their target market.

How To Sell on Amazon From Alibaba

After understanding the basics of the two tech giants, it’s time to learn how sellers can maximize the potential of Alibaba and Amazon and their services to ensure a long-lasting and profitable ecommerce presence. 

Conducting Research and Analysis

The first step in your Alibaba-Amazon journey is product selection. Choosing a suitable product line for your target audience will make or break your career as an ecommerce entrepreneur and determine the entire course of your business endeavor. 

For these reasons, before selecting any products, conducting sufficient product research and engaging in thorough competitive analysis is crucial and necessary.

For simple product research, browse through Amazon’s Best Seller page to get a quick look at what the ecommerce giant’s audience base is most interested in and see if any products fit your brand’s niche. Ensure that the items you choose have high demand with low competition.

You can also head to Alibaba’s Best Seller page and browse through popular products on the platform to know what your competitors are possibly offering and what trends are gaining traction in ecommerce.

It’s best to analyze how your direct competitors interact with their consumers through their reviews and ratings and how they price and market their products.

Choosing the Ideal Alibaba Suppliers

Once you’ve decided on which products to sell, it’s time to select potential suppliers and wholesalers from Alibaba. When choosing a supplier, ensuring they are reliable, legitimate, and meet your requirements is key to avoiding any future road bumps.

The Chinese platform encourages buyers to partner with two types of manufacturers on their platform: verified and gold suppliers. 

Verified suppliers have a badge on their profile that lets buyers know they’ve gone through and passed Alibaba’s unbiased verification process. Verified suppliers are more likely to maintain higher standards and deliver top-quality products.

Gold suppliers are premium members that have similarly gone through Alibaba’s authentication process. Being a gold supplier indicates that you’ve been on the platform for an extended period and are dedicated to your business.

Sample Ordering & Product Quality Control Checking

Before buying your products in bulk from your trusted Alibaba suppliers, it’s still crucial that you check if the products are of the highest quality, and you can do so by ordering samples. 

With this practice, you can request a product sample from multiple suppliers and conduct the necessary quality control checks to ensure that the product meets your standards and specifications before making the final purchase.

Negotiation & Order Placement

You can also negotiate with your suppliers regarding the final price and other terms (like Minimum Order Quantity or MOQ) to secure competitive rates and favorable conditions for your bulk orders. 

In line with negotiating with your manufacturer for the final price, knowing how to pay Alibaba suppliers is best. Once you’re satisfied with the terms you and your supplier have set, you can pay your chosen suppliers through the following methods: 

• Bank transfer 
• PayPal
• Alibaba Secure Payment Service
• Alibaba Trade Assurance

Shipping & Selling on Amazon

 Amazon offers various fulfillment methods for their sellers, but the most efficient selling method to use in your Alibaba-Amazon journey is the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program.

With Amazon FBA, sellers won’t have to worry about storage, shipment, logistics, and customer service because Amazon handles them all on your behalf, allowing you to focus on other more essential business matters.

With Alibaba in the mix, Amazon FBA sellers can simply outsource their products from the Chinese platform, send them directly to FBA warehouses, and Amazon will take care of the rest.

When managing your inventory and considering the logistics of shipping from Alibaba to Amazon, it's essential to accurately calculate estimated express shipping costs and other shipment expenses.

Here are some factors to consider:

• Product weight and dimensions: International shipping costs may vary depending on the size and weight of your bulk order.
• Shipping method: You can choose various shipping methods like sea or air freight and express courier shipping services like DHL.
• Import duties and taxes: International shipments may include import duties or taxes, so learning about these fees will help you calculate shipping costs accurately.
• Amazon FBA fees: Amazon charges fees for storage and shipment, depending on the size and weight of products and the time of year. 

Source: Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels.com

Are You Allowed To Sell Alibaba Products on Amazon?

Yes, you are. However, because of buyers' common concerns with the Chinese platform, most people believe otherwise, thinking they’ll experience grave consequences for their brand and overall reputation as an online entrepreneur.

Learning how to navigate through Alibaba properly is key. To combat these worries and debunk this misconception, we’ll discuss Amazon’s product sourcing policies, the primary issues that surround Alibaba, and how sellers can avoid these risks.

Common Challenges of Alibaba

One of the biggest issues that Alibaba faces is the continuous propagation of counterfeiting. Countless counterfeits of branded products have long plagued the platform, leading the United States government to place Alibaba in the official US Counterfeit and Piracy list in 2022. 

Fortunately, Alibaba has been doing its best to rid the marketplace of these fake products by taking down malicious accounts one after another with the help of the Alibaba Anti-Counterfeiting Alliance.

Some buyers are also wary of encountering fraudulent sellers and scammers on the marketplace. As mentioned, Alibaba urges customers to check for Verified Supplier or Gold Supplier badges on the seller’s profile before performing any transactions.

Amazon Policies

As an Amazon seller, being mindful of Amazon’s product policies is crucial to avoid any platform violations and account suspensions. The following are some policies every Amazon seller must be aware of.

It’s best to read the marketplace’s list of restricted and prohibited products before buying bulk orders from Alibaba. Going through Amazon’s Product Safety and Compliance policy is also imperative to learn what safety standards and requirements your product must meet. 

Additionally, Amazon has an anti-counterfeiting policy that aims to battle rampant counterfeit products from entering the marketplace and being used in customer transactions. If your products are proven to be counterfeit, you may lose selling privileges and have your FBA inventory destroyed. 

In line with the consequences of counterfeiting, you may also be involved in intellectual property infringement cases. For this reason, it’s best to read on and learn Amazon’s policies on intellectual property infringement.

Besides learning these policies, you can do the following to avoid violating any of Amazon’s rules.

Final Thoughts

By now, you should have gained valuable insights on how to sell on Amazon using products purchased from Alibaba. Additionally, you should have learned how to avoid any avoidable road bumps during your Alibaba-Amazon journey. Implementing these tips is crucial to develop your online business steadily and smoothly.

Looking for help when it comes to managing your Amazon business? Let Seller Interactive guide you on Amazon and beyond.

Talk to our Amazon experts and discover how to maximize your brand’s potential by booking a call at 1-800-820-3746 today!

Amazon Sponsored Display makes a powerful tool for advertisers like yourself looking to grow their business. With the ever-increasing eCommerce competition, utilizing this strategy is essential to win the hearts of your potential customers. 

For an already established business, this growth strategy provides an opportunity to reach a broader audience and improve sales performance. By uncovering the key steps and strategies, you will be equipped with the knowledge to maximize the potential of Amazon SD and drive greater growth for your business.

So keep reading as we delve into Amazon SD, encompassing its benefits, the step-by-step setup process, and optimization techniques. 

What is a Sponsored Display on Amazon?

A Sponsored Display on Amazon is a form of advertising that allows you to promote products to relevant audiences on and off the platform.

Here’s an example of a Sponsored Display ad within Amazon:

Meanwhile, here’s one from outside Amazon, which is on Twitch:

The Benefits of Amazon Sponsored Display Ads

Utilizing Sponsored Display comes with numerous benefits. If you haven’t prioritized this ad type and are getting busy with other campaigns, these benefits will encourage you to spotlight Sponsored Display now. 

Brand and Product Awareness

Sponsored Display ads can significantly increase your brand and product awareness. By targeting relevant product categories on Amazon and refining targeting attributes such as category, brand, price, and Prime eligibility, you can maximize your reach to new audiences and improve product discovery.

Customer Acquisition

Utilizing Amazon's first-party shopping signals will allow you to reach potential customers who have viewed your detail page and new audiences who have viewed similar products or categories on Amazon. This can help drive consideration and awareness for your brand, making it more likely for these individuals to become loyal customers.

Ad Flexibility and Control

Before you can fully utilize the benefits of Sponsored Display ads, it's essential to register your brand with Amazon Brand Registry. This program helps protect your brand by providing greater control over your product listings and ensuring accurate representation. It verifies your brand ownership and provides access to additional Amazon features like customizable detail pages and enhanced advertising options.

Brand registered sellers can set their daily budget, choose their products, select targeting tactics such as contextual targeting or audiences, and specify their bids. Such an approach enables tailoring your advertising efforts, guaranteeing optimal advertising performance.

Boost Your Sales and Conversion Rates

By positioning your ads on and off Amazon, you can reach relevant audiences at every stage of their shopping journey. Whether they are browsing similar products or viewing your product detail page, Sponsored Display ads allow you to influence potential customers and boost conversions.

How Does Amazon SD Differ from DSP, Sponsored Brands, and Sponsored Products?

Amazon Sponsored Display, Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and DSP are all advertising formats offered by Amazon, but they have differences. 

Sponsored Display

Sponsored Display enables advertisers to target audiences within and beyond Amazon, such as on Amazon-owned sites, third-party websites, apps, and devices.

Sponsored Products

These are the ads customers see on Amazon product detail pages and search results. They are typically displayed with a "Sponsored" tag and help promote individual product listings.

Sponsored Brands

Meanwhile, the ads that show up on top of the search results page are Sponsored Brands. These ads feature a customized headline, logo, and a selection of products. They help drive brand awareness and promote a range of products under a brand's umbrella.

DSP (Demand Side Platform)

DSP offers off-Amazon programmatic advertising, including advanced targeting options, audience-based buying, diverse ad formats, and the ability to reach customers on various websites, apps, and streaming services.

How to Create Well-Optimized Amazon Sponsored Display Campaigns

If you are convinced Sponsored Display can help you boost your sales and grow your business even more, take note of these steps when creating Sponsored Display campaigns.

Step #1: Devise your advertising strategy.

Before launching your Sponsored Display campaign, see how it will fit the bigger picture of your business goals. What do you want to accomplish specifically, and how will your ads be created to achieve them? This approach ensures effective utilization and optimal outcomes.

For example, you may want to create Sponsored Display ads hand in hand with other advertising options available on Amazon, like Sponsored Products and Sponsored Brands, for maximum reach.

Step #2: Determine your campaign budget.

Efficiently managing your ad spend is vital for maximizing the ROI. The budget should be based on your overall advertising strategy and the number of products you wish to promote. This ensures that your Sponsored Display ads will not exceed your budget while reaching audiences effectively. 

Step #3: Navigate the Sponsored Display audiences targeting options.

After setting your daily budget, you can choose between contextual targeting of audiences. Use Amazon's shopping signals and prebuilt audience segmentation. This step ensures you tailor your ad strategy based on customers' browsing behavior and past purchase history. Eventually, you increase the likelihood of reaching people interested in your products. 

Step #4: Select products to advertise.

Choosing the right products to advertise is essential in setting up your Sponsored Display campaign. Identify which has the highest potential of attracting your target audience, and make it the face of your brand and store. These products can be your best-selling items, new releases, or products that differentiate your brand.

As your bestsellers gain more popularity, you can also give the spotlight on your other products using a Sponsored Display ad. Since you already have insights into your previous campaigns, you can replicate the best practices and minimize any challenges moving forward.

Step #5: Get creative with your Sponsored Display ad creatives.

Utilizing creative elements in your Amazon SD ads is key to capturing and holding the attention of your target consumers. Sponsored Display offers several options for ad content, including product images, custom brand logos, and video ads creative.

Ads with engaging visuals can promote your products more effectively. Invest in genuine, high-quality images, educational and informative product descriptions, and concise headlines highlighting your offerings' benefits. Take advantage of Amazon's auto-generated ad creatives if you want a quick solution to kickstart your campaign.

Add clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA) buttons that guide potential customers toward the desired action. This could be a purchase, a click-through to your product page, or another desired outcome. 

💡 Remember to add a human touch, as this connection will make your potential customers consider, engage, and remember your brand.

Step #6: Select your ad’s placement.

Amazon SD provides various options for ad placements. By strategically selecting where your ad appears, you can increase the chances of reaching high-intent shoppers and driving sales. Depending on your goal, here are some placement strategies to choose from:

Contextual Targeting

Contextual targeting (formerly product targeting) shows your ads on various points in their online journey, from product detail pages and search results pages to outside the Amazon store. With this feature, Amazon SD does the work of finding opportunities to expand your reach. This includes positioning your ad alongside complementary products or in contexts showcasing features. It also displays your ads when users engage with related content, from the web or a mobile device.

Retargeting with Sponsored Displays

Shoppers who previously viewed or interacted with your products, visited your product pages, or used a search term you rank for may need a little more push to buy. A retargeting ad can help a lot in converting this potential customer. It reminds shoppers of your products, encouraging them to return and purchase. Customize your ad creatives when retargeting using Sponsored Display campaigns by adding your brand logo and product images. Sponsored Display video creative and audio ads can also help you engage shoppers more effectively. And by tracking your campaign metrics, you can optimize your targeting strategy and reach new audiences interested in your products.

Step #7: Split-test your strategies.

There is not one fixed solution for all businesses; you have to develop a unique strategy that will work for your unique needs. Experiment with different ad placements, product images, targeting strategies, and campaign structures to achieve that. This allows you to optimize your results further and guarantee business growth. 

Selecting the appropriate targeting strategy for your Sponsored Display ads is the key to reaching relevant audiences and improving your overall ad performance.

Step #8: Monitor your campaign performance.

Monitoring and analyzing your ad performance is essential to get the most out of your Amazon SD campaigns. Use the Amazon Advertising Console to track ad spend, view campaign metrics, and make data-driven adjustments to your advertising strategy.

Regularly analyze and enhance your bids to ensure they remain competitive. Analyzing your campaign metrics lets you see which aspects of your advertising strategy work effectively and which areas need improvement. Doing so will continually improve your campaigns and ensure a higher ROI

Step #9: Generate routine reports on campaign performance.

Access in-depth reports that provide valuable insights into your SD ad campaigns' performance. Monitoring these reports will help you understand how well they engage shoppers and contribute to your overall marketing strategy. Key metrics to focus on include clicks, impressions, ad spend, sales, click-through rate (CTR), etc.

Compare the performance of your Sponsored Display campaigns against other Amazon ad formats, such as Sponsored Products and Sponsored Brands. Once you know which ad type performs best, you can invest in them more to maximize your return on ad spend. As for the less effective campaigns, you should analyze what was lacking and improve.

By closely monitoring your Amazon SD reports, using the insights to inform your targeting strategy, and regularly refining your ad creatives, you'll be well on your way to harnessing the full potential of Sponsored Display and growing your business on Amazon.

Partner With Seller Interactive for Creating Optimized Sponsored Display Ads

Mastering the art of Amazon Sponsored Display can significantly boost your business growth. It effectively places your products at the forefront, targets the right people at the right time, and both in and out of Amazon. 

By staying informed and adapting your strategies, you can ensure the ongoing success of your campaigns and enjoy the benefits of increased visibility and sales on Amazon.

To achieve the success we are discussing, it would be best to partner with a team well-versed in creating and managing Sponsored Display ads. Seller Interactive is your go-to Amazon team! Our Sponsored Ads Management and DSP Advertising services cover everything you need to succeed.

Book a call with us now if you want to discover more about what we can do!

Managing an Amazon store is no easy feat. From ensuring your brand is protected from malicious counterfeiters and hijackers to keeping a close eye on your FBA inventory—even the most successful seller may need a little bit of support now and then in the form of an Amazon FBA coach or consultant.

In what business areas can these professionals help Amazon FBA sellers, and is there any difference between the two? Moreover, whose service is better: an Amazon coach or a consultant? 

Let’s uncover the strategic expertise of each. They just might be your FBA business’ saving grace.

A Look Into Amazon’s FBA Program

Before we begin the showdown, it’s best to lay out the ground rules and give a brief overview of the Amazon FBA business model. Through this rundown, we can learn the basics of the FBA program and identify specific areas where Amazon sellers may find themselves in a bind.

Amazon FBA sellers let the e-commerce giant handle the entire fulfillment process, from product storage, packaging, shipping, delivery, and customer service. Sellers must simply send their products to Amazon’s FBA warehouses, where their items will be stored, labeled, and packed for shipment.

Because of this sophisticated and organized setup, FBA sellers can focus on more essential business matters and perform more tasks without worrying about the logistics of inventory and warehousing, order fulfillment, and customer service.

This fulfillment method may seem straightforward, but it’s not foolproof—many sellers may still encounter inevitable issues throughout their FBA journey. 

For instance, while Amazon virtually handles every stage in the order fulfillment process, the first step to having a successful FBA business still falls in the hands of the seller: product selection and research. Sellers must find profitable and in-demand products that meet Amazon’s guidelines.

While Amazon offers storage for every business, FBA sellers must also meet certain requirements to maximize their FBA inventory, such as having a specific IPI score. The COVID-19 pandemic also affected FBA inventory, with the e-commerce platform limiting its inventory space to only the essential items.

Other areas of concern include:

• Product pricing
• Product launch
• Listing optimization and management
• Growing Amazon marketplace competition
• Seller account health
• Marketing and advertising

A knowledgeable and dedicated few saw these issues as an opportunity to help other Amazon brand owners reach their goals and achieve FBA success. This led to the emergence of Amazon FBA coaching and consulting in recent years.

With the aid of such professionals, an Amazon FBA seller can rest easy knowing their business and brand are in the hands of experienced experts. 

But how exactly can these Amazon FBA specialists elevate a seller’s business endeavor? Let’s get to it.

What is an Amazon FBA Coach?

Amazon FBA coaches guide sellers through the FBA program by offering hands-on assistance and providing strategies for FBA selling.

These coaches act as your mentors or gurus with extensive experience on Amazon who are highly knowledgeable on the ins and outs, the ups and downs, and everything in between the FBA fulfillment process. FBA coaches can guide you through the complexities and rough patches of the Amazon marketplace.

An Amazon coach will be your trusted partner as you navigate the crowded FBA seller population, ready to address your queries and concerns. In particular, Amazon coaches provide the following services for interested clients:

• Step-by-step guidance on seller account setup
• Assistance with product research
• Provides insights into product sourcing, listing optimization, marketing campaigns, etc.
• Recommends pricing strategies
• Account health management
• Offers one-on-one coaching sessions to educate clients on the best FBA practices

Besides mentoring sessions, enrolling in an FBA coaching program may give clients access to free resources on valuable FBA information, Amazon courses about various selling and optimization strategies, and much more.

Of course, you can’t immediately find the best Amazon FBA coach on your first try. You must consider a few features and factors before hiring an Amazon coach.

Expertise & Specialization in the Field

It may go without saying, but you must look into the coach’s expertise on the field. Specifically, you must consider what areas or stages in the FBA fulfillment process they are most experienced in.

Their expertise must align with your FBA business needs. For instance, if your goal is to scale your business, a coach experienced in inventory management, brand expansion, and strategic marketing would be your best bet. Selecting a coach that matches your needs ensures you receive the specialized guidance required for your unique FBA journey.

Coaching Style

Perhaps another crucial factor that you should look out for is coaching style. Every student learns differently, and no Amazon coach has the same teaching style. While they may be highly knowledgeable of the field, an FBA coach whose coaching style doesn’t match yours may only lead to disaster.

Not only will there be a disconnect in ideas, but your communication and collaboration may also suffer. For this reason, it’s best to carefully assess an FBA coach's mentoring approach and ensure it aligns with your preferred learning style and business needs. This compatibility will foster a productive partnership and maximize the benefits of your coaching experience.

Social Proof & Credibility

Most importantly, look at their track record by reading past clients' testimonials and success stories. Doing so may give you a glimpse into how the FBA mentor teaches and communicates with clients and how effective their services are.

You can determine whether or not the FBA coach in question is a reliable professional. Besides testimonials, research if they have any relevant certifications or affiliations within the Amazon FBA community. 

Remember, a reputable FBA coach will prioritize YOUR success and ensure your business grows to achieve that success.

Source: Photo by cottonbro studio from Pexels.com

What is an Amazon FBA Consultant?

On the other hand, an FBA consultant takes on a more analytical role. Amazon FBA consultants delve into the intricacies of your FBA business, conducting comprehensive assessments to identify opportunities for optimization and growth. 

With a deep understanding of e-commerce dynamics, FBA consultants offer strategic recommendations that suit your unique situation. They analyze market trends, competition, and data-driven insights to formulate strategies to enhance your business's overall performance. 

While they may not provide hands-on training like coaches, their expertise can be transformational for established FBA sellers looking to refine their operations and achieve sustainable success.

FBA consultants may offer the following services to their clients: 

• Consultations on FBA selling
• SEO assessments of product listings for optimization
• Conducting competitor analysis and market research
• Strategizing product launches
• PPC campaign management for optimal visibility
• Guidance on branding
• Analyzing sales data, market trends, and performance metrics
• Assistance with account suspensions

Like FBA coaches, finding the ideal FBA consultant is key to ensuring your business can thrive and grow in the Amazon marketplace. For this reason, you must be wary of a few factors and features when hiring an FBA consultant:

Analytical Capabilities & Up-to-Date Knowledge

Because they focus primarily on analyzing and assessing various data and metrics, your FBA consultant must have top-notch analytical skills and a deep understanding of the Amazon marketplace and algorithm.

Additionally, the consultant must keep up with the latest industry trends and closely follow Amazon’s policy and algorithm changes. These factors significantly impact how well their data analysis will go, ultimately affecting your business’ fate.

Consultation Process

Similar to the coaching styles of FBA coaches, you must also consider the consultation process of your chosen FBA consultant before hiring them. You must understand how they gather information, analyze data, and develop strategies to see if their process is a good fit for your business.

Consultation processes may be a one-on-one meeting, group discussion, or workshop with other people in your company. You may feel more comfortable working with consultants who do regular check-ins on your brand’s progress or ones who do an in-depth analysis of your business.

The consultation process will affect your collaboration with your consultant, so be sure to choose a professional you can comfortably work with. 

Adaptability & Innovation

Most importantly, you must look for a consultant who can easily adapt their strategies as industry trends and market conditions change. Flexibility allows FBA consultants to display more innovative ways of thinking to tackle new challenges, enabling them to develop the most optimal solutions for your business.

This approach can propel your FBA business towards sustained growth and continued success in the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape.

Which Professional Works Best For Your Amazon Business?

Reading through their roles and skill sets, Amazon FBA coaches and consultants are two sides of the same coin. To keep yourself from confusing the two, remember that FBA coaches are more hands-on, while consultants go the analytical route. 

While we’ve listed the basics of FBA coaching and consulting, many sellers may still have a burning question unanswered: which professional should you hire?

The decision largely depends on the specific needs and goals of your Amazon FBA business. Would you prefer hands-on assistance, personalized mentorship, and step-by-step guidance as you traverse the world of Amazon FBA? An FBA coach may be your ideal choice.

Are you seeking more comprehensive analysis and data-driven strategies for your business? Consider working with an experienced Amazon FBA consultant from Seller Interactive!

Book a consultation and talk to an Amazon expert at 1-800-820-3746 now so we can help your FBA business reach new heights!

All sellers have encountered a stale listing. It happens when one or several products they've listed on Amazon remain untouched for weeks to months, stuck with only a few sales. It can be as painful as scrolling down a computer screen, trying to find the SEO tools for Amazon that will magically turn your listings into bestsellers.

But we're businesspeople. There's no room for overnight results. We understand that the rational approach involves increasing product visibility, in which search engine optimization (SEO) plays a major role. If we keep scrolling with the knowledge of Amazon SEO in mind, we'll eventually discover the solution.

Let Seller Interactive save you some time and provide you with seven of the best Amazon SEO tools. These tools can help your listing skyrocket to the top page when used to its full potential.

Keyword.io

First on the list of Amazon SEO tools is Keyword.io, suitable for both new and seasoned sellers. This free keyword research tool acts as a search engine with an autocomplete feature. It pulls data from Amazon and gives you auto-suggested long-tail keywords. 

It also lets you configure the country, language, and Amazon search channels to narrow your search. When the search results pull up, you'll search volume data, trend, average CPC, and competition for every keyword line item. 

Keyword.io is an excellent tool if you're looking to expand your listing's keywords efficiently. It can also be used as a support tool while doing product research using the traditional Amazon search engine.

Merchant Words

Look around for an easy-to-use Amazon keyword tool, and Merchant Words will come up. It's an intuitive product search and keyword optimization tool for both absolute beginners and experienced sellers.

Merchant Words' user interface makes it a breeze for the clueless to scope around the tool and become a converted avid user. They can view the organic performance of keywords and terms frequently used in the Amazon marketplace in just a few clicks. In just a few minutes, they can identify what competitors use and what keywords and niches they can enter to gain profit.

Jungle Scout

Another formidable Amazon SEO tool is Jungle Scout. Like its close rival, Helium10, this tool can do many things besides keyword research functions.

Keyword Scout is the name of the tool's feature that allows sellers to do thorough keyword research. What's incredible about the tool is it brings quality keywords to every search result. You will have plenty of selection from the litter that will improve your SEO strategy and your listing's organic ranking.

Apart from SEO, it also helps your PPC efforts. Each keyword shows search volume, PPC bid costs, trend graph, and ease of ranking. Overall, the Keyword Scout from Jungle Scout is one tool you should consider as part of your arsenal to reach your goals.

Helium10

Helium10 is one of the best tools that do more than keyword research. It can also do 

• product research, 
• performance analytics, and 
• listing optimization. 

Most experienced and successful Amazon sellers swear to the power of this Amazon SEO tool. During our interview with Karyn Thomas, Brand Evangelist at Helium 10, she touches on the importance of utilizing SEO tools and provides insight into the journey of Helium 10:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhuH86Mejos

Magnet, its SEO keyword tool for Amazon, has access to a vast database of market-specific keywords. It gives you plenty of results to help you better select a precise keyword for an existing product listing.

Magnet's keyword data can also help you uncover untapped opportunities for new product ideas or rank on a viable keyword of your choice. If you're looking to carve out a new opportunity for traffic and ramp up your organic search engine optimization efforts, Helium10 is your go-to tool.

AMZScout

What gives this tool the edge over the rest is that it's customer-centric. AMZScout is an Amazon SEO tool that gives sellers keyword data about what customers are searching for. This is an excellent feature if you're looking to scout new products to sell in the largest marketplace.

Its keyword explorer tool gives sellers data on the number of customers using a keyword, including other relevant keywords. They can use this information to correctly associate keywords to a particular listing to ensure it's well-optimized.

Like some of the dominant Amazon keyword research tools, AMZScout also has a reverse ASIN search feature. It lets you see the organic rank page, position, and possible sales for page one data. You'll see what kind of keywords your competitors are using.

Seller App

One tool that rivals the easiness of Merchant Words is the Seller App. Its user interface is straightforward, clean, and navigable. This SEO tool for Amazon will let sellers see relevancy score, cost per click rate, trend data, and search volume fast and with just a few keystrokes and clicks.

Adaptability is another advantage of this tool. Sellers can access it using their smartphones, which is a big help when they're always on the go. They can connect to the internet and do their business anywhere. Seller App also supports other ecommerce marketplaces besides Amazon, making it a powerful tool for those who sell to multiple markets.

If you're looking for a tool that's easy to use and caters to Amazon and other marketplaces, this is for you. It may be less comprehensive than other Amazon-specific tools, but it makes up for it with a broad selection.

Sellzone

Most sellers are familiar with SEMrush, the popular SEO tool used to rank on Google. The same people behind the creation of SEMrush launched an Amazon-specific keyword research tool—Sellzone.

Just imagine a marketplace keyword research tool that can give you access to a database of 200 million or more keywords, with an option to select between broad, phrase, and exact match types. The possibilities are astounding!

Sellzone's Amazon Keyword Wizard tool is where you get data for search term volumes and the number of competitors you have on those keywords. But it also has other functions—product research, listing quality check, and a PPC optimizer, among other things.

As for its keyword research, this tool would do wonders if you prefer something simple and want more keywords added to your listings and fill it with backend keywords.

Seller Interactive’s Team of Experts is Your Best Amazon SEO Tool. 

The SEO tools we recommended above can help any Amazon seller improve their SEO performance. With enough time and effort, you can discover how to use the tools to your advantage effectively.

But if you still struggle to skyrocket your SEO game, your ultimate Amazon SEO tool would be a team of experts from Seller Interactive. Our Amazon specialists know the workarounds of SEO and the retail giant. Their knowledge and experience in using various utilities can significantly improve your account performance and, most importantly, grow your business. If you're curious about this team and how they can help achieve your goals, book a call today.

Amazon FBA has emerged as a game-changer, helping businesses break the competition and reach global markets. But the intricacies of this dynamic platform demand strategic insights and expert guidance. Luckily, help is in the form of Amazon FBA mentorship and consultancy.

Both mentorship and consultancy play important roles in helping business owners succeed. From valuable advice to data-driven strategies, personalized support to specialized knowledge, each approach has advantages tailored to meet your online business needs.

But while they share a common goal, their approaches are different yet complementary. This article will compare the distinctive natures of Amazon FBA business mentorship and consultancy to help you weigh your options.

Exploring the Amazon FBA World

FBA is the preferred platform for online sellers who want Amazon to lead the way. It allows you to tap into their extensive logistics, take advantage of delivery networks, and use fulfillment centers. The benefit it offers include the following:

Streamlined Order Fulfillment Excellent Customer Service Inventory Management Prime Eligibility Global Markets Reduced Operational Overhead and Shipping Complexities

But the Amazon marketplace is not for the faint of heart. With great opportunities come daunting challenges. On top of that, there’s intense competition among millions of Amazon sellers. Attaining sustainable growth in this market necessitates a well-crafted and strategic approach.

You may be lost in a sea of products, algorithms, and market dynamics without the right knowledge and guidance. Such risk is something we don’t want you to take. That’s where Amazon FBA mentorship or consultancy becomes an essential source of support.

Do You Need a Mentor to Start Amazon FBA?

Not necessarily. Through thorough research and free learning resources, you can succeed without an Amazon FBA mentor. Think online forums, YouTube videos, and Facebook groups. 

However, having an Amazon mentor increases your level of success. They provide supervision, feedback, and expertise to avoid pitfalls and achieve goals faster.

A Quick Overview of Amazon FBA Mentorship vs. Consultancy

Selling on Amazon can be overwhelming, but there's help available through mentorship and consultancy. Both methods offer advantages in supporting new sellers and others seeking help in the tricky world of Amazon FBA.

But on a closer look, there are key differences between these two. Let’s examine them in a table.

Method	Amazon FBA Mentorship	Amazon FBA Consultancy
Definition	Personalized guidance from experienced FBA sellers	Objective analysis and expert advice from consultants
Approach	Experiential learning and one-on-one support	Data-driven and analytical approach
Time Commitment	May require an ongoing commitment to mentor-mentee relationships	Engagement can vary based on certain projects or analysis
Learning Experience	Shares knowledge and real-world experiences	Provides industry insights and strategies

Note: The details in the table are generalizations. Actual offerings may vary depending on the mentor or consultancy services. Always decide which route suits your business better based on your needs, goals, and resources.

All About Amazon FBA Mentorship

If you want to have a successful online business, investing in an Amazon FBA mentorship program is the first step. Below are reasons it can help level up your Amazon store and outshine other sellers.

Strengths of FBA Mentorship

With mentorship, learning Amazon FBA becomes a guided journey. Mentorship involves a one-on-one relationship between an experienced FBA seller (mentor) and someone seeking guidance (you, a mentee). 

• Trusted Advisors: Mentors can decipher your sales history and pinpoint areas for improvement, which can increase your sales. They excel in formulating a cost-effective approach for your Amazon business endeavors.
• Supportive Community: Mentorship fosters a supportive community within the Amazon FBA ecosystem. You can connect with sellers who share similar interests, leading to possible connections and networking opportunities.

Limitations of FBA Mentorship

Like any mentoring program, FBA mentorship has its fair share of shortcomings. You must acknowledge and understand the challenges that may arise.

• Budget Restriction: Mentorship programs often require a financial investment, which may be a problem for Amazon businesses with fixed budgets.
• Time Constraints: The availability of mentors may be limited, especially if they have busy schedules or a high demand for their services. 
• Personal Perspective: Mentorship is a subjective experience. While some may thrive under mentors' guidance, others may not resonate with their approach or teaching style.
• Poor Connection: The FBA mentorship may be less effective without a strong connection or shared vision.

All About Amazon FBA Consultancy

When there's mentorship, there’s also consultancy. This support system has a different approach to achieving success on the platform.

Strengths of FBA Consultancy

A consultancy service is typically a more formal arrangement between your business and a professional consultant.

• Unbiased Perspective: As external experts, consultants maintain an objective viewpoint, helping them make rational decisions.
• Business Encouragement: Consultants offer motivation, encouragement, and accountability to keep you focused and on track. Their success stories and lessons from personal journeys save you from common FBA mistakes and pitfalls.
• Market Trends Awareness: FBA consultants stay updated on the latest trends and Amazon algorithms, ensuring your strategies remain competitive.
• Real-World Experience: Consultants share their real-world experiences to help you become a successful seller. They lead you through crucial areas: keyword research, listing optimization, product research, advertising, and customer service.
• Policy Compliance: Consultants ensure you adhere to guidelines and best practices, avoiding potential issues or suspensions.
• Data-Driven Insights: Most consultants base their recommendations on data and analytics, aiding in data-driven decisions and improved sales outcomes.

Limitations of FBA Consultancy

Like mentorship, consultancy is also not without its challenges.

• Fluctuation in Service Quality: Although some consultants may show an excellent portfolio, others may lack the necessary experience to deliver consistent results.
• Dependency on External Expertise: Relying solely on consultancy services may lead to an overreliance on external experts, potentially hindering your ability to develop independent problem-solving skills.
• Data Limitations: Consultants' recommendations might rely on available data and market trends, but the rapidly changing nature of the Amazon marketplace may render some insights outdated.

How to Choose the Right Option

Confused about choosing between mentorship and consultancy? Don’t worry! You can unlock the perfect path for your Amazon FBA journey by weighing these factors.

1. Business Stage and Goals

Is it your goal to start or scale a successful Amazon business? Then, mentorship could be a suitable choice. You’ll receive assistance from someone who has already explored the FBA landscape.

Do you need targeted expertise? Do you need help optimizing Amazon fees or simplifying the fulfillment process? A consultant may be more appropriate. 

2. Budget Constraints

Assess the costs associated with each option. Some incur a lower upfront cost but may require a long-term commitment. Others come with higher fees but be more focused on project-based deliverables. Weigh your budget constraints against the value you expect to derive from either option.

3. Skilling Needs

Identify the areas where your FBA business could improve and which skills you lack. A mentor can help develop your overall business acumen, while a consultant can offer expert advice on detailed aspects like brand positioning, account suspension, product listings, and more. Your chosen option should address the skill gaps that matter most to you.

4. Personal Preferences and Learning Styles

Reflect on how you prefer to work and learn. Mentorship is more of a personal connection; you'll receive ongoing support and learn from your mentor's experiences. A support system like this is suitable if you prefer a nurturing environment.

Consultancy services focus on delivering professional advice and addressing specific pain points, which may better serve you if you learn best through targeted feedback and actionable recommendations.

Who Is the Right Amazon FBA Expert for You?

Whether you seek mentorship or consultancy, both paths involve improving your business. Not all Amazon experts are equally skilled or qualified. But you can identify what’s best for your needs.

The best Amazon FBA expert is:

• Goal-Oriented: They focus on setting clear, measurable, and actionable goals.
• Client-Centered: An ideal Amazon expert centers around the client's needs, values, and aspirations. They listen actively, ask powerful questions, and support them in finding their solutions and insights.
• Action-Oriented: Experts do more than just talking; they emphasize taking action and progressing toward the defined goals.
• Reliability-Focused: They allow clients to openly discuss their concerns without fear of judgment.

The Best Amazon Experts Are Here at Seller Interactive

Both paths—mentorship and consultancy—can shape the trajectory of your online business. Ultimately, your choice should be guided by your specific needs and objectives.

In case you’re looking for an Amazon consultant, Seller Interactive can help. Our expertise spans various aspects of selling on Amazon, including navigating the FBA marketplace, making us your go-to partner for all your ecommerce needs.

Are you a startup and need help setting up your Amazon seller account? We have you covered! Are you an established seller who wants to expand your brand's reach or protect your intellectual property? Our experts are here to help!Jump into Amazon selling with us and make your mark in this vast landscape. Book a call now!

In eCommerce, many aspiring entrepreneurs turn to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) as a viable selling program. It allows you to leverage Amazon’s vast customer base and fulfillment network to sell and distribute products seamlessly. But while the opportunities that come with FBA are undeniable, one question arises among those who would like to master it: are Amazon FBA courses worth it?

An FBA course aims to provide aspiring sellers with the necessary skill set to explore the complex world of eCommerce on the Amazon marketplace. However, a lot of work goes into it, from picking a reputable course matching your needs and learning style to implementing the strategies you learned.

But what if we present you with another option? An alternative path that not only sidesteps the limitations of these courses but also propels you toward a more comprehensive and tailored journey to FBA success? 

Get ready to learn about the ins and outs of FBA courses and discover a better alternative: consultancy.

Understanding Amazon FBA

Amazon FBA is a service that allows you to store products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers and let Amazon be in charge of picking, packaging, and shipping orders to customers on your behalf. In return, you will pay fees associated with these services, including storage, fulfillment, and referral fees.

The process may look easy, but there are complexities to it that you must understand. A well-structured course can provide valuable insights and guidance on these aspects.

Is It Worthwhile Starting Up on Amazon FBA?

Absolutely. Starting on FBA can be worthwhile due to Amazon’s vast customer base and seamless fulfillment network. However, success requires thorough research, strategy, and financial adaptability to the marketplace’s demands. 

Here’s an Amazon FBA success story from Perfect Petzzz, a brand selling lifelike stuffed animals, and how they managed to boost their profits by 57% in less than a year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbogK0ccsq8

What’s Up with Amazon FBA Business Courses?

FBA is a fantastic opportunity for business growth, but it has a steep learning curve. Amazon FBA courses play an important role here. They are suitable for everyone, whether newcomers or seasoned sellers. The curriculum often spans product research, listing optimization, PPC campaign management, inventory control, and utilizing Amazon's fulfillment system.

These courses aim to guide learners in optimizing their own Amazon-based eCommerce venture to drive sales and elevate the customer experience.

Are Amazon FBA Courses Worth It? 3 Key Benefits of Taking Them

Let's dive into three specific advantages of taking Amazon FBA training courses.

Understanding the Amazon Marketplace

One key benefit of taking an Amazon FBA course is developing a deep understanding of the retail giant. With expert guidance, you’ll learn about important aspects like setting up your Seller Central account, optimizing listings, maintaining healthy seller performance metrics, and dealing with Amazon's strict policies. These ensure you're well-prepared to tackle the ever-changing marketplace.

Offer Knowledge and Expertise

Enrolling in an Amazon FBA course provides valuable knowledge from the experts. These courses cover relevant topics to help you build a robust foundation for your Amazon FBA business. Some subjects even go beyond textbooks, coming straight from experienced professionals.

Access to a Supportive Community

Joining an Amazon FBA course may connect you with an exclusive, supportive community of fellow sellers who understand your challenges and can offer advice. This network of peers helps you navigate the intricacies of the Amazon marketplace, avoid common pitfalls, and learn from their experiences firsthand. 

Enhanced Learning with Tools

An Amazon FBA course will familiarize you with tools like Helium 10 to make your FBA venture more efficient and competitive. The effective use of analytics software will save you time and effort while maximizing profits.

Risks and Downsides of Amazon FBA Training Courses

Despite their usefulness, Amazon FBA courses have certain limitations. Below we highlight some areas you should be mindful of when taking an FBA course as part of your entrepreneurial journey.

• The cost can be quite high. The valuable knowledge and skills acquired may justify the expense, but it's not the only thing you're spending on. You will also need funds for inventory, marketing, and other business activities.
• It may lack relevance and accuracy. Your selected course might not offer the suitable solutions for your unique business needs and challenges.
• It increases the competition. Everyone taking the same course will learn the same strategies. It thus requires you to have other strategies to differentiate your brand from the rest, which is no easy feat.
• Hands-on learning may be restricted, which limits your practical experience and application of the concepts taught.
• It requires a substantial amount of time. Mastering the material on your own doesn't happen overnight. You need to allocate sufficient time and dedication while balancing other responsibilities, which isn't easy for many business owners like yourself.

Picking the Right Course

When choosing an Amazon FBA course, it's essential to consider

• the course content,
• your budget,
• your business goals,
• the instructor's experience, and
• the support offered.

A good course should provide comprehensive guidance about the mechanics of the FBA process and effective strategies you can implement. You should also pick a course taught by experienced Amazon sellers who have achieved success and are more than willing to share their knowledge with others.

Free FBA Courses vs. Paid FBA Courses

Cost is another important factor when choosing an FBA course. You will find free Amazon FBA courses and paid ones. In this case, you might want to weigh the benefits of each.  

Remember to research and compare different Amazon FBA courses to find the one that best matches your needs. Investing in your education could pay off in the long run if it leads to a successful and profitable outcome.

A Better Alternative: FBA Consultancy

FBA courses may merely be a foundational step for you. The dynamic eCommerce landscape necessitates continual learning and adaptability for sustained success. What if a course is not enough? What if you don't have enough time to learn all that? 

This is where consultancy comes in.

The Rise of FBA Consulting Agencies

FBA consulting services have seen a noticeable increase in recent years. Such agencies specialize in helping businesses like yours navigate the complicated path to Amazon FBA selling by giving tailored advice and guidance.

The Benefits of Hiring a Consulting Agency

When you choose to hire a consulting agency instead of taking an Amazon FBA course, they can provide you with the following:

• Personalized guidance: Consultants provide one-on-one interactions and ongoing support compared to general FBA courses.
• Time savings: Skip those learning curves. With a consulting agency's support, you can avoid trial and error. Their guidance empowers you to navigate the market with more confidence.
• Expert knowledge: FBA consulting agencies are not only up-to-date with Amazon's policies, but they also understand the intricacies of the FBA process, enabling them to offer valuable insights.

Risks and Downsides

While hiring an FBA consulting agency has its perks, you should also be aware of potential risks and downsides.

• Cost: Hiring a consulting agency can be pricier than taking a course. However, weigh this against the potential benefits and ROI.
• Not all agencies are equal: Some agencies might not have the expertise necessary to help your business thrive.
• Dependency: Too much reliance on an agency might make it difficult for you to manage your business independently in the future.

How Consulting Agencies Offer Holistic Support

Despite the potential risks, partnering with a reputable consulting agency can be a more effective alternative to taking an Amazon FBA course. Their expert guidance and specialized knowledge can give you the edge you need for a successful Amazon FBA business.

But in what concrete ways can they address unique business challenges and drive optimal results?

What to Look For in FBA Consulting Services

When considering an Amazon FBA consulting agency, you must evaluate certain factors to ensure you get the most value for your investment. Here, we discuss five essential elements to look for when hiring one.

1. Experience

Work with a consulting agency that has a proven track record in the FBA field. Seek agencies with experience managing large accounts and dealing with diverse product categories. A well-rounded knowledge of the FBA ecosystem will translate into comprehensive strategies and, eventually, better results.

2. Transparency

Open and straightforward communication is vital to any business partnership. Your chosen consulting agency should provide clear expectations regarding the services, pricing, and projected results. Doing this fosters trust and ensures both parties are on the same page.

3. Industry Expertise

Deeper insights require specialized expertise. Look for agencies focused on Amazon FBA or with a team well-versed in the platform's intricacies. Such knowledge will enable you to benefit from current trends, new features, and proven tactics for success on Amazon.

4. Scope of Services

Choose a consultant offering a wide range of services to grow your Amazon business. They should be capable of advising on all things Amazon, from inventory forecasting to PPC strategies. As a result, you’ll have streamlined procedures and a unified approach to your Amazon business.

5. Client Testimonials

It's always a good idea to check the experiences of the consulting agency's past clients. Browse through their social proof, such as testimonials and case studies, or reach out to those clients directly to verify the firm’s quality of service.

Consult Seller Interactive for Your FBA Concerns

As you venture into the challenging realm of FBA, you might be considering enrolling in FBA courses as a first step. Although an Amazon course can be helpful, it’s not always the best option. Sometimes, consulting agencies are more helpful to Amazon sellers like you in the long run.

Compared to Amazon courses, consultancy offers personalized guidance based on your unique needs. It's a more efficient way to navigate the rapidly changing platform and a cost-effective solution tailored to your finances. Above all, you don’t have to learn all of the nitty-gritty on your own.

Seller Interactive offers a vast range of Amazon services, and consulting is one of them. Our experts tackle challenges head-on, driving growth through the following strategies:

• Enhancing visibility with product listing optimization
• Navigating account suspensions with insightful appeal advice
• Boosting sales through actionable strategies, ensuring successful execution
• Offering expertise beyond Amazon. We currently offer consulting for Walmart and provide diverse marketing services for the platform.

Are you ready to explore the potential of consulting agencies? Book a call today and begin a fruitful eCommerce journey.

As a new seller on Amazon, you’re probably wondering what Amazon Standard Identification Numbers (ASINs) are. But more importantly, do you know how to create a new ASIN on Amazon?

In this article, let’s explore the roles of ASINs and the how to’s of creating them. 

Back to Basics: What Is Amazon ASIN?

An Amazon ASIN is a special sequence of ten digits and letters assigned by Amazon to various items in their product catalog. This unique identifier helps Amazon organize and manage its extensive product inventory, making it easy for you and other customers to find and purchase products. 

You’ll find an ASIN of a product on the product details page. For example, the ASIN number for these ASICS running shoes is B08VS9VK42. 

Each ASIN is exclusive to a specific product to avoid confusion between items in the Amazon Marketplace. Some ASINs, however, may differ depending on the Marketplace. For example, an ASIN for a product on the Amazon Marketplace in the US might not correspond to the same product on the UK Marketplace. 

Why ASINs Matter

Now that you know what an Amazon ASIN is, let’s find out why they are important when selling on Amazon. Check out these reasons why ASINs matter. 

1. Provides Accurate Product Searches

Amazon's entire product catalog is organized using ASINs. These unique codes allow Amazon sellers to monitor their inventory accurately. Aside from how it benefits sellers, ASINs also make it easier for shoppers to find the items they wish to buy. 

Through ASINs, Amazon indexes catalog pages. This results in buyers receiving accurate search results on Amazon. ASINs also enable potential buyers to find the exact product they want to purchase by just typing the ASIN into the search bar. 

Think about this: ASINs make it easier for customers to find your products, improving their overall shopping experience on Amazon.

2. Tracks Inventory Levels

An ASIN also helps you, as a seller, to keep track of your inventory levels. Since each product has a unique ASIN, you can easily monitor how many units of a product are available and when it's time to restock. 

ASINs help sellers in reducing overselling by providing unique codes for each product. This makes inventory management more efficient. 

3. Compliance with Amazon Policies

Complying with Amazon's policies is essential for maintaining a healthy seller account. One such policy is the correct use of ASINs. By assigning the correct ASIN to each product, you’re adhering to Amazon’s guidelines and ensuring your products are displayed properly. 

This helps maintain a positive customer experience and protects you from possible issues such as an account suspension. 

How to Use an Existing ASIN

When adding a new product to your Amazon Seller Central account, it’s essential to check whether an existing ASIN exists for that item. Using an existing ASIN can save you time and effort, enabling you to list your product quickly and efficiently.

Listing your item under an existing ASIN also allows your product to appear on the same page as other sellers who are offering the same item. This increases your chances to sell more of your product, as customers can compare prices and seller ratings within one listing. 

Aside from these reasons, Amazon doesn’t allow the creation of a new entry for a product that’s already listed. If you want to sell something already in the catalog, you must match your product to the existing item by making an offer. If you break this rule, Amazon may temporarily or permanently remove your selling privileges.

Here are the steps to using an existing ASIN in Amazon:

1. Log in to your Amazon Seller Central account. 
2. Proceed to the "Add a Product" section. 
3. Search for existing ASIN numbers for the product you want to sell by typing its name, model, number, or ASIN. 
4. If your search shows that your product is already listed on Amazon, you can simply click the "Sell Yours" button next to the existing ASIN.
5. When using an existing ASIN, ensure your product is identical to the one listed. This includes aspects such as brand, model, color, and size. 

How to Create a New ASIN on Amazon

Usually, you’ll find an existing ASIN for your product; brand owners are typically the ones who add a new ASIN to the product catalog. But if the product you want to sell doesn't match any existing ASIN, you'll need to create a new ASIN. This could mean you’ve discovered a new product with low competition. 

To create a new ASIN, log in to your Amazon Seller Central account and go to "Add a Product.” Choose the appropriate product category, then input the necessary product details such as product name, color, and more. Finally, submit it for approval. Comply with ASIN guidelines to list it successfully.

Here’s a full step-by-step guide: 

1. Go to Your Amazon Seller Central Account

After signing in, go to the “Manage Inventory” tab. 

2. Proceed to “Add a Product”

After clicking “Add a Product,” you’ll be directed to a new webpage. If you’re adding a new product listing, click the “I’m adding a product that is not on Amazon.” 

3. Select the Product Category

Select the correct product category, subcategory, and product type. Product categories guide customers to your product, so ensure you list the item in the right category. 

4. Enter Your Product Information

After choosing the right product category, you will be asked to complete a form with all the necessary information about your product. This includes your product name, brand, color, size, and material composition.

Aside from the usual product details, you must also enter the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). You can find these numbers on product labels. Here are the most common GTINs. 

5. Submit the Form

After filling out the form, click on “Save and Finish.” Amazon will review your listing. If approved, Amazon will give your product a unique ASIN code and create a product details page for it. 

However, remember that just as you use existing ASINs, other sellers may also use the ASIN you created. Amazon also imposes certain restrictions on adding ASINs, particularly for new sellers. 

Initially, new Amazon sellers can only create a limited number of new listings until they have built a proven sales record on the platform. As their sales increase, so does their ability to create new ASINs. 

Tips for Managing ASINs

Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned seller on Amazon, knowing how to manage your ASINs efficiently will help you avoid extra stress later on. Here are some tips to help you manage your ASINs: 

1. Understand the Parent-Child ASIN

Parent-Child ASIN relationships occur when multiple variations of the same product are listed under one Parent ASIN. For example, if you sell a t-shirt in different colors and sizes, each variation will have its own unique Child ASIN, linked to the main Parent ASIN. 

Understanding this link is essential because it allows you to maintain updated product information. It also streamlines inventory management.

2. Organize Your ASINs

Effectively organizing your ASINs is essential for smooth inventory management. Create a well-structured inventory system that categorizes ASINs, making locating and managing specific products easier. 

3. Regularly Update Your ASINs

You can use inventory management tools, custom labels, or spreadsheets to help with organization. Properly labeled ASINs also make updating your listings easier. It's also beneficial for tracking performance and identifying best-selling products. 

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date information on your product listings is vital for customer satisfaction and Amazon's search algorithm. Updated ASIN information will help customers find your products easily, especially if they are at the top of the search rankings. It also reduces the risk of negative customer feedback due to inaccurate information.

Regularly review your product details, including titles, descriptions, images, and features. Ensure that any changes to the product, such as updated packaging or new specifications, are reflected in your ASINs promptly. 

4. Comply with Amazon's Policies

Always adhere to Amazon’s ASIN creation policy when creating or managing your ASINs. Violating these policies may result in the suspension or removal of your listings. Provide accurate and complete information to avoid these issues and follow specific category requirements.

Amazon also has strict policies governing product listings. As an Amazon seller, familiarize yourself with Amazon’s guidelines for product titles, images, product descriptions, and other category-specific requirements. 

Compliance protects your business and maintains a level playing field for all sellers. 

Get Assistance from Seller Interactive

Creating a new ASIN in Amazon requires careful attention to detail and compliance with Amazon’s guidelines. It might be quite challenging, especially for inexperienced Amazon sellers. But it’s an important part of selling on the platform.

Remember, success on Amazon lies in the little details like ASINs. Failure to create new ASINs or improper use of existing ones could lead to harsh punishments. But, if you aren’t confident with creating new ASINs or managing them, don’t worry, Seller Interactive can help you!

Our team of experts is ready to help you with account management services. Focus on your Amazon business, and we’ll protect your seller account health. 

Book a call with us today to know more!

Every business owner wants to keep their business up and running at maximum capacity. This way, their operations won’t be impeded, brand awareness will increase, and they will attract more customers, leading to Walmart marketplace or ecommerce success.

However, new sellers often receive account suspensions because of simple rule violations. While an account suspension may happen to rookie sellers because of unfamiliarity, it’s not an excuse to be exempted from rules and not know them in the first place. 

If you want to learn how to sell on Walmart marketplace and thrive, knowing the best practices and guidelines for avoiding account suspensions is best. This article will discuss how to join Walmart marketplace, enumerate why some sellers get their accounts suspended, and how to avoid it yourself. 

What Is Walmart Marketplace, and What Are the Benefits of Selling on This Platform?

Like Amazon and eBay, the Walmart Marketplace is an online marketplace that allows third-party sellers to list and sell their products on Walmart.com alongside the retail giant's inventory. 

It is open to sellers of all sizes but has stricter guidelines in accepting third-party sellers to provide the best products and services to the shoppers.

What is Walmart Marketplace’s edge over other online marketplaces, then?

Expanded Visibility And Reach

For sellers, one of the biggest advantages of selling on Walmart Marketplace is the size of Walmart's customer base. With over 380 million monthly site visitors, Walmart.com gives sellers access to a vast audience and loyal customer base, boosting brand visibility and reach.

Aside from the Walmart website, your items will appear in the Walmart mobile app and search engine results. You can also enlist the help of Walmart Sponsored Products to set up pay-per-click (PPC) ad campaigns. Because of these efforts, your products will get their much-deserved shine.

Less Competition

Walmart sellers can also enjoy less competition in the marketplace because Walmart only has a little more than 150,000 third-party sellers. This is way less than Amazon, which has almost 2 million active sellers on its platform. Because of this, you can sell products on Walmart.com without worrying about market saturation.

Lower Costs

Competition and customer base aren’t the only important factors in choosing an ecommerce channel. Business expenses matter too! Save as much money as possible—especially if you’re still starting.

Walmart Marketplace only requires sellers to pay referral fees when they’ve made sales. The platform charges sellers somewhere between 6% to 20%, depending on your item’s category.

Convenient Fulfillment Service

Like Amazon FBA, Walmart also has its fulfillment program called Walmart Fulfillment Service (WFS). This program allows third-party sellers to fulfill their orders easily and more efficiently by sending their inventory to a Walmart supplier or fulfillment center. Walmart will then be responsible for packing and shipping orders, handling customer and seller concerns, and managing returns.

Access to Free 2-Day Shipping

Lastly, Walmart Marketplace offers sellers various shipping options, including free 2-day shipping on orders over $35, which can entice potential customers. This feature might seem similar to Amazon’s Prime shipping, but Walmart’s free 2-day shipping does not require a subscription.

By providing this benefit for your customers, you can expect more visibility in the search results pages and more chances to win the Walmart Buy Box. These will help you gain more customers and boost your sales on the platform.

Getting Started

If the world of online marketplaces piques your interest, you must be contemplating becoming an online seller and earning. But where do you begin?

We’ve got you covered with this checklist.

Here’s how you can get started as a Walmart marketplace seller.

1. Create an account on Walmart.com. Then, click the Sell on Walmart link at the bottom of the homepage. 
2. Put in basic information about your company, such as your company name, address, and contact details. You’ll also be asked to enter the business type, category, annual sales, and other related information.
3. Read and accept Walmart’s terms and conditions.
4. Walmart will review your application. It usually takes five business days from submission before they inform you of your application status.
5. Once approved, you can start listing products on the Marketplace as a Walmart seller.

While sellers can sell diverse products in a Walmart store, the marketplace has limitations and restrictions on specific items and categories. We suggest you review Walmart’s Prohibited Products Policy to avoid issues.

Improving Your Sales Performance

When selling on the Walmart marketplace, keeping an eye on your sales performance is essential. 

Sales performance helps to measure and track progress toward sales goals and can be used to identify areas of improvement. Aside from these, it can also help you identify trends and boost your business.

With strong sales performance, your businesses can thrive. So next time you're thinking about making a sale, remember that it's not just about the sale itself but also how that sale will impact your business's bottom line.

Walmart Seller Center looks at several different factors when measuring sales performance:

• Order Volume: Reflects the number of items you sell over a certain period. It is a valuable metric for comparing sales across different periods.
• Order Accuracy: ensures that the items you ship to customers match those they ordered and that the items are in good condition.
• Customer Satisfaction: Based on customer feedback and return rates. A high score indicates that the Walmart marketplace seller provides good customer service and efficiently handles returns.
• On-Time Delivery: Customers expect to receive their orders within the specified time frame; if you can't meet their expectations, it will reflect poorly on your sales performance.

Improving your sales performance can seem like a handful, but you can take some simple steps to make a big difference.

First, you can use Walmart’s Promotions Manager tool and create clear and concise promotional messages highlighting your products' key benefits, ensure your campaigns target the right audience, and track the results of your promotional campaigns to make necessary adjustments.

Creating a great customer experience can also help your sales performance in the long run. You can do so by engaging and responding to your customer’s concerns, making return processes easy, and going the extra mile to solve their problems.

Most importantly, staying up-to-date on the latest Walmart selling policies and procedures is crucial. By staying on top of things, you'll minimize any problems arising down the road.

Why Do Some Sellers Get Suspended on Walmart.com?

One of these problems may be an account suspension. As a Walmart.com seller, you may have noticed some of your fellow marketplace sellers with suspended accounts or have seen them ask about this on seller forums. While this may be confusing and frustrating, especially to new sellers, you must understand that Walmart has strict rules that all sellers must follow.

Here are some reasons why Walmart marketplace sellers get suspended from selling on the platform.

Failure to Perform According to Standards

Sellers must abide by the following Seller Performance Standards that Walmart has set. Otherwise, they will be suspended from selling on the marketplace.

Order Defect Rate (ODR) Must Be Less Than 2% Over 90 Days

The number of orders with at least one defect divided by the total number of orders placed during the same period gives you your order defect rate. 

Some defects include seller-initiated cancellations, inaccurate or damaged items, late deliveries, and customer complaints from ratings and feedback. But even if some orders have multiple issues, Walmart only counts one defect per order.

On-Time Shipment Rate Must Be Higher Than 99%

This is the percentage or rate of orders delivered on time or ahead of the expected delivery date (EDD). For orders with multiple shipments, sellers are expected to deliver them completely by the EDD.

Valid Tracking Rate Must Be More Than 99%

This means that sellers must always provide the customers with tracking details within 24 hours of shipment and delivery scans on or before the EDD.

Non-Compliance With Marketplace Retailer Agreement

After setting up a Walmart seller account, all third-party sellers, including you, must agree to the terms and conditions set in the Marketplace Retailer Agreement. In this agreement, you will promise not to engage in black hat practices and always follow Walmart's Terms and Conditions.

Furthermore, you will declare not to sell any fake, used, or prohibited goods on Walmart.com. And along with product content guidelines, the document also describes the procedures you are accountable for, like order fulfillment and inventory management.

Lastly, you must constantly check the quality of your product listings, especially whenever Walmart releases updates on its marketplace policies and requirements. Otherwise, you will face consequences, including account suspension that can last for weeks, months, or forever.

Violation of Trust and Safety Standards

Besides the Marketplace Retailer Agreement, you must also uphold the Walmart Trust and Safety Standards to avoid having your account suspended. Here are the standards you must follow.

Regulatory Compliance

A seller violates this standard when they list a product on Walmart.com that is prohibited or potentially poses a risk to product and food safety regulations. These items include prescription medications, gambling or surveillance equipment, and untested or uncertified baby products.

Offensive Product/s

A seller violates this standard by selling products considered offensive to customers, promoting discrimination or violence, or displaying profanity or nudity.

Intellectual Property

A seller violates this standard when they sell items that do not acknowledge the creator or intellectual property owner, which signals that you do not have the right to sell the item.

Violation of Walmart Pricing Standards

Walmart is known for its “Every Day Low Prices” (EDLP) pricing strategy. Therefore, as a third-party seller on Walmart.com, you must ensure that your prices align with Walmart's guidelines and guarantee affordable items to its customers.

Even though some pricing violations result in delisting your SKU, Walmart may suspend your account for glaring violations and several infractions. Therefore, you must take note of the following rules when pricing your products:

• Price Parity: According to this rule, Walmart will unpublish a product listing if a buyer can save money by buying the same product from the same seller in the same variation from a different platform, including shipping fees. Therefore, you must ensure that your prices are similar across all channels or marketplaces.
• Price Leadership: According to this rule, Walmart will unpublish a product listing if customers can save a lot of money by buying the item from a competitor's website, including shipping costs. However, note that this regulation only covers products of the same kind and color. Also, it does not cover pricing for goods sold during sales, promotions, and clearances.

Failure To Meet Operational Standards

Lastly, your operations must always be at the highest level as a Walmart marketplace seller. This involves ensuring Walmart shoppers receive their orders on time, offering commendable and high-quality customer service, and processing returns and refunds within the given time frame. Otherwise, your seller account will be suspended, affecting your business in various ways.

Tips to Avoid Getting Suspended on Walmart Marketplace

 Now that you know what prompts Walmart to suspend accounts, you must follow all the rules they have set to avoid account suspension. Below are some tips to help you stay in good standing with Walmart.

First and foremost, be familiar with and comply with Walmart's policies. Ensure you have thoroughly read and understood all the terms before selling on Walmart.com. Keep up with any changes that Walmart releases to make the necessary adjustments in your store.

Then, only sell products in good condition and those that meet Walmart's quality standards. Remember, do not offer products that violate Walmart's trust and safety standards. 

These products should be uploaded with accurate and complete product descriptions to avoid misleading Walmart customers, which can result in multiple product returns. Provide accurate images, pricing information, and delivery terms to help your customers make informed decisions.

Products need to be a good deal for both you and your customer. Price your items competitively, yet comply with Walmart's pricing standards to prevent your product listings from being unpublished and avoid suspensions.

To keep your buyer satisfaction rating high, ensure prompt responses to customer inquiries and any issues they may face.

Customers must receive orders within the EDD to maintain a 99% and above on-time shipment rate, so ship your orders and provide valid tracking details on time.

Finally, if you are still confused about all the policies and guidelines you need to remember, consult a Walmart account manager who is an expert in this field. They are constantly updated with the latest policies, so you can trust them to guide you in running your business on Walmart.com.

Bottom Line

Learning how to become a Walmart marketplace seller does not only involve knowing the application process and requirements but also knowing how to avoid account suspensions. 

Many Walmart sellers get suspended for failing to perform according to standards. However, you can prevent account suspensions by being familiar with the terms and guidelines and keeping up-to-date with the policies. Finally, consult a Walmart account manager from reputable companies like Seller Interactive to prevent such suspensions.

If you are interested in knowing more about Seller Interactive's Walmart account management services, book a call with our experts today.

Knowing your profit margins can help you make pricing decisions and determine whether you're offering a good deal to your customers. But how can you calculate profit margins, exactly? This guide will show you how to calculate profit margins to keep your business on track. 

Let's dive right in by defining what a profit margin is and how it can help improve your company’s performance.

What Is a Profit Margin?

A profit margin is the percentage of revenue a company keeps after accounting for all its expenses, such as the cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and taxes. 

It's a key metric for assessing a business’s financial health, indicating how well a company can generate profits from its revenue.

A high profit margin means that a company is efficient and has low overhead costs, while a low profit margin indicates a company is struggling to generate profits. 

Businesses can also use the profit margin to compare companies within the same industry since businesses with similar costs and revenue levels typically have the same margins.

Companies with high margins are more attractive to investors than those with low margins. High margins indicate that a company has a strong competitive advantage and can generate significant profits even when operating in a difficult market environment.

However, remember that there's no right or wrong level of profit margin. What matters most is whether the company is profitable and if its margins increase or decrease over time.

How To Calculate Profit Margin

You can easily input your values in a profit margin calculator which is readily available online. However, it still pays to know the process of calculating this metric.

To calculate profit margin, you'll first need to gather financial data, including your total revenue and expenses for a specific period. Once you have this information, you can use the profit margin formula:

Profit Margin Formula
(Revenue − Expenses) ÷ Revenue × 100 = Profit Margin
Example: ($100,000 − $80,000)÷ $100,000 × 100 = 20%

Profit margins can vary from one industry to another. 

For example, businesses in the retail sector typically have lower margins than companies in the technology sector. 

Several industries, such as retail, restaurant, and hospitality, have low profit margins. In these industries, businesses must contend with high costs, fierce competition, and slim margins.

Knowing the usual profit margins for your industry and products is crucial to benchmark your performance as a business owner. By paying attention to your profit margin, you can make informed decisions about allocating resources and pricing your products or services.

The Components of a Profit Margin

Any business owner may benefit from knowing their profit margin. By understanding the different components that make up your company's margin, you can identify ways to improve it and increase your profits. Here are the main components of a profit margin.

Gross Profit Margin

A crucial indicator of a company's profitability is its gross margin (GM). It measures the difference between a company's revenue from its sales and the cost of goods sold. In other words, it measures how much profit a business makes on its net sales. 

Most businesses generally aim for a gross profit margin of at least 20%. A business with a high gross margin makes a lot of profit on each sale. On the other hand, a low gross margin shows that a business is not making much profit on each transaction. 

Remember that this number will fluctuate as costs change and sales rise and fall. However, monitoring your gross profit margin may help you understand how your company generally does.

How To Calculate Gross Profit Margin

To calculate gross profit margins (GPM), use the following formula:

Gross Profit Margin Formula
(Revenue − Cost of Goods Sold) ÷ Revenue × 100 = Gross Profit Margin
Example: ($100,000 − $40,000)÷ $100,000 × 100 = 60%

Operating Margin

The operating margin is the difference between a company's revenue and operating expenses. It evaluates a company's profitability and cash flow generation capacity. 

Operation margins vary from industry to industry, so comparing a company's operating margin to its competitors is important when measuring its performance. 

But as a general guideline, you must strive for an operating margin of about 15%. This figure will give you enough room to cover your costs and still make a profit.

A high operating profit margin indicates that a company can generate much profit with relatively little operating expenses, which can signify strong management and a well-run business. 

Conversely, a low operating profit margin may indicate that a company is overspending on marketing or manufacturing or that its products are not in high enough demand to generate much revenue.

How To Calculate Operating Profit Margin

To calculate the operating profit margin, take the company's operating profit after deducting all expenses related to selling its products or services, and divide it by its revenue. The resulting number gives us the percentage of each sales dollar the company keeps as profit.

Operating Profit Margin Formula
(Revenue − Operating Expenses) ÷ Revenue × 100 = Operating Profit Margin
Example: ($100,000 − $50,000)÷ $100,000 × 100 = 50%

Net Margin

The net margin shows the percentage of revenue the company has made after deducting all expenses, including taxes and interest, on the debt. A high net profit is an indication that the business is doing good. 

Net profit is also a good indicator of future earnings potential. A company with a high net profit generates a lot of cash and is in good financial health. Businesses can use this money to invest in new products, expand into new markets, or pay dividends to shareholders.

How To Calculate Net Profit Margin

To calculate your net profit margin, you must take your total revenue for some time and subtract your expenses, including taxes and other deductions, resulting in your net income. From there, you'll divide your net profit by your total revenue and multiply by 100 to get a percentage. 

Net Profit Margin Formula
(Revenue − Total Expenses) ÷ Revenue × 100 = Net Profit Margin
Example: ($100,000 − $50,000)÷ $100,000 × 100 = 50%

Factors That Can Affect Profit Margin

Every business owner knows that profit margin is important. However, several factors might impact a company's profit margin. The intrinsic properties of the business may influence some of these, while others are beyond its control. 

Nevertheless, here are a few key factors to keep in mind:

• Pricing: Higher prices result in a higher profit margin. Be careful to set competitive prices for your goods. If your prices are too high, you'll lose customers; if they’re too low, you won't make enough profit to cover your costs.
• Costs: If your business can charge a high price for its product or service, you will likely have a higher profit margin. Look closely at your costs and see where you can reduce your spending.
• Demand: High demand enables higher prices. However, you might have to cut your pricing to draw more customers if there is low to no demand.
• Competition: If many businesses offer similar products or services, you will likely need to price your offerings competitively, lowering profit margins.

By carefully monitoring these factors and making adjustments as necessary, you can ensure that you maximize your profits. 

In addition, you should also be aware of external factors that can impact your profit margins, such as the state of the economy or changes in the competitive landscape. 

Once more, your company may implement strategies to stay ahead of the curve by carefully monitoring these factors.

Final Thoughts

The business world has changed significantly. Increasing competition, technology's impact, and evolving customer needs have all contributed to a more challenging landscape for every business. Safeguarding your business with a good profit margin is essential to stay ahead of the curve.

Your profit margin determines how much money you’ll make from your sales and gives insights into where your business may be losing money or making more than necessary.

Still, calculating profit margins can be tricky for self-starters. Hiring a competent account manager can help you manage matters in your business that may be difficult while trying to sell your products or services. 

If you want to learn more about scaling your Amazon business and maximizing your potential revenue, or have any questions specific to your business, Seller Interactive’s team of experts with years of expertise in managing Amazon businesses would be happy to help. 

Let us help you find ways to improve your company's profitability so you can continue growing and thriving. Book a call today!